Garmin’s New Active Traffic Systems Offer Increased Power, Range

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the GTS 825 Traffic Advisory System (TAS) and the GTS 855 Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS I), offering improved performance and range. The GTS 825 and 855 each offer 400 watts of transmit power, and 40 and 80 nautical miles of interrogation range, respectively. All Garmin traffic systems combine active and passive surveillance data to pinpoint specific traffic threats, and use Garmin’s patented CLEAR CAS™ technology to correlate ADS-B targets, providing pilots with the most comprehensive traffic picture possible.

“The new line of GTS traffic systems offers the best performance for its class and price point. Now with increased transmit power and range, the GTS series provides even broader situational awareness and allows the pilot to visualize more potential traffic targets that could pose a threat,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of aviation sales and marketing.

There are four distinct system configurations for the GTS series, and each model creates a 360-degree zone of detection around the aircraft so pilots can see and identify targets in their airspace that may pose a risk. The GTS 800 TAS is a lower-price system offering 40 watts of transmit power, which has been validated for a range of up to 22 nautical miles. The GTS 825 TAS delivers 400 watts of transmit power and up to 40 nautical miles of interrogation range. The GTS 855 TCAS I features the same 400 watt performance, plus up to 80 nautical miles of interrogation range, and also meets the FAA’s TCAS I certification criteria. Finally, the GTS 8000 is also available to meet the FAA’s TCAS/ ACAS II certification criteria. The GTS 825 and 855 systems are field upgradable to the higher performance models. All GTS series products come standard with Garmin’s patented CLEAR CAS (Correlated Location Enhanced ADS-B Receiver Collision Avoidance System) technology, a hybrid system that provides real-time information that is totally independent of radar-based air traffic control. CLEAR CAS combines active and passive surveillance data, including 1090 MHz Extended Squitter ADS-B data (ADS-B Out required). In the future, the system will be able to provide enhanced information about a target aircraft including flight ID, altitude, velocity and direction on select displays.

Traffic information from the GTS series is displayed on the map page or traffic page of Garmin display systems, as well as select third-party displays, using TAS/TCAS symbology. Additional traffic symbology can be displayed on Garmin SVT-equipped PFDs. When the GTS product receives replies to its interrogations, it computes the responding aircraft’s range, bearing, relative altitude, and closure rate. Then, it enhances location data received from ADS-B Out equipped targets, plots the traffic location, predicts collision threats, and depicts the information on the traffic display. The TAS and TCAS I systems also include expanded audio traffic alerts in an ATC-like spoken format. For example, “Traffic; Eleven o’clock; High; Two miles.”

The GTS series also offers flexible antenna configurations that ensure optimum system performance for specific types of aircraft. Customers may choose a single true directional antenna on top of the aircraft, with or without a bottom mounted omnidirectional antenna. High performance aircraft customers may select a top-and-bottom dual directional antenna configuration.

The GTS 825 and 855 have received the FAA’s Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization, and Garmin will apply for an FAA Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate (AML STC). The systems are available immediately for a list price starting at $19,995 and $24,995, respectively.

Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, surveillance, and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and value.